The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs says the department may have to divert funds from other planned programmes after its annual deportation budget was depleted by the costly repatriation process.
By Mapaballo Borotho
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has raised concerns that the funds spent on increased deportations and repatriations could force the department to divert funds from other planned programmes.
The committee says the department’s annual deportation budget has already been depleted and has called for a sustainable plan to address the growing financial pressure.
This comes as South Africa continues to grapple with illegal migration. The issue has long been a socio-economic concern, but it came under the spotlight in June 2026 when the March and March movement called for the deportation of all undocumented foreign nationals in the country.
Undocumented foreign nationals were given until 30 June 2026 to leave South Africa, and Home Affairs says the repatriation process came at a high cost.
March and March blame illegal immigration for many of the challenges faced by ordinary South Africans, including high unemployment, overcrowding in public schools and healthcare facilities, as well as rising crime in communities.
Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs Chairperson Mosa Chabane joined Phemelo Motene on Kaya 959’s Point of View to discuss the matter.
“We took note that the funds that were allocated for other services within the portfolio of Home Affairs had to be redirected to assist in the process of repatriation, and that has taken its toll in some areas of the department’s programmes.
Secondly, we have passed the budget recently and we observed that some of the money was shifted around, but we are currently engaging with the National Treasury to close the gap,” he said.
Chabane says the recent deportations and repatriations linked to the 30 June deadline were not budgeted for, placing additional strain on the department.
“The security cluster is also underfunded, but because the government has to respond to the subject that we are dealing with, there must be a mechanism in place so that processes go smoothly.
Some of the concerns are around planning moving forward, for example, identifying the shortcomings that have been identified,” he said.
According to news reports, at least R341 million was spent by the department on the 30 June 2026 repatriations.
Meanwhile, the security cluster spent at least R600 million to maintain safety and order on the day protesters shut down parts of South Africa.
Listen to the conversation for the full discussion.
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